ONLINE NEWS CONSUMPTION HABITS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA.

ABSTRACT 

The introduction of the Internet has brought about transformation in every sphere of human life. One area that this technology is transforming the world is the area of news consumption. The Internet has made it easier for news consumers to listen and read news at a click of a button. Online news is now consumed anytime and everywhere.  This study aims at investigating the news consumption habits of students of the University of Education, Winneba. A questionnaire and semi structured interview was used for data collection. A sample size of 200 was used in the study. This research seeks to investigate the avenues students use to source news, the dominant websites students’ access news, the kinds of news students’ source online and the reasons why students choose online news against traditional media. Findings from the study reveals that majority of the students’ use their mobile phones and other ICT gadgets to browse the Internet. Students also use the various platforms such as modems, wifi, data on their phones and the Internet cafes to access news on the Internet. Students browse for all kinds of news online; this includes politics, sports, entertainment etc. These kinds of news are sourced from both local and foreign websites. The study also revealed that the students go online to read news from traditional sources with online platforms. The work also highlights some of the challenges students encounter whilst using the Internet. The challenges which include unstable WIFI connections, high data charges and electricity challenges hinder the usage of the Internet by the respondents. The study also makes some few recommendations in order to help improve the current status quo. The recommendations include the University looking for alternative source of energy in order for the university to have constant electricity,13 government giving tax incentives to telecommunication companies in return for a reduction in their data charges and improvement of wifi connections on campus.